The Truth is Out There With These 10 ‘X-Files’ Facts

The X-Files is famous for keeping its own secrets under wraps, let alone the government’s, but did you know creator Chris Carter first dreamed up Mulder and Scully after learning over three million Americans claim to have been abducted by aliens? Or that The X-Files practically invented the concept of mixing standalone and mythology episodes? These are just some of the out-there truths to uncover in the sixth episode of ‘You Think You Know TV?,’ which cuts through the conspiracy to investigate the legendary X-Files!

According to Carter, both Scully (Gillian Anderson) and Mulder (David Duchovny) emerged as a natural dichotomy in his head, the former representing his skepticism and inability to believe in things, while the latter accounted for his faith. Carter had an easy time naming the pair, Fox after a childhood friend (rather than the network), and Scully after a famous Dodgers announcer, though casting proved somewhat trickier under FOX’s unfortunate stipulations about any actress hired.